The Arrangement

Chapter Thirty-Six

I don't think I've ever had a panic attack before, but as I stand outside Tif's apartment one seems to hit me full force.

My breaths come in ragged bursts, my chest tightening to a point I feel like my heart is going to smash right through it with how much it's pounding.

I feel completely and utterly trapped with no way of getting out. Which is exactly how Tif wants me to feel.

She knows full well how much I've beaten myself up about what I've done. Hell, it took months before I finally sucked up the courage to let it out.

At the time she was all I had, and I genuinely thought I could count of her but I guess I was wrong. The truth is money changes people in the vilest of ways.

I've always known that to Tif money is the most important thing. I guess I just hadn't of expected her to turn on me for it. That's not what friends are meant to do.

They're meant to stick together, keep each other's secrets and take them to the grave. But then I guess I'd put way more faith in our friendship because just like with everything else in her life she clearly just views me as another price tag.

It's astonishing how quickly someone can unravel you, how easily they can strip away your defenses and leave you exposed. Tif has always had that power over me, but I never imagined she would wield it so callously.

I have no other option but to do exactly what she wants, and she knows that. She's the only one that knows the truth and if she decides to tell the whole world, that's it. My life is over.

I don't know how long it takes but I somehow manage to pull myself together enough to get myself moving. After I send Tif every single penny left in my account I start walking. I can't get an Uber so my only option is to walk, but I don't go back to the penthouse. Instead, I find myself sitting on a bench in a nearby park.

I kind of just sit in a trance staring out at nothing, completely unmoving, even when it starts raining.

It's only when my phone vibrates in my pocket that I finally seem to snap out of it. Pulling my phone out I see a message from Henley pop up on my screen.

Henley: Why exactly are you in the middle of a park the in pouring rain?
You do realise you've only just managed to fight off the cold you had

For a moment I just stare at my phone, both unsettled by the fact he knows exactly where I am and the fact he cares about my wellbeing. I glance around to check my surroundings but just as I expected there isn't anyone around. The park is completely deserted.

When my phone starts vibrating again with a call I hesitate for a moment before I answer.

"You know, Carter gets real pissed if any of us are laxed about our health" he chuckles lightheartedly as I bring the phone to my ear. He doesn't give me chance to respond though as he continues. "Actually he gets pissed about almost everything but our health is a big deal for him"

I can't help but smile, despite everything. "Yeah, I guess getting sick again wouldn't be my best move," I finally manage to say with a tight chuckle. "Wait, how did you know where I was?" I then ask glancing round again.

He's silent for a moment before he finally answers. "Would you believe me if I said I was psychic?" He teases and I can't help but roll my eyes.

He's clearly trying to maintain his lightheartedness and for the most part it does actually work at easing the tension I can feel radiating through my body.

"No I wouldn't" I reply with a slight accusation in my tone.

"Ahh dam" he sighs, going quiet again for a beat. "Okay, I might have tracked your phone" he then admits.